Coming from some of France’s most socioeconomically challenged neighborhoods, these young people have faced significant obstacles. Many contend with family and financial instability, while some juggle legal residence status uncertainty, and others work to support themselves. Despite their resilience, without the Archery Foundation’s support, these opportunities to broaden their international perspective and engage with leaders from diverse sectors would remain out of reach.
The Archery Foundation helps students like these transcend their circumstances. The program provides comprehensive support—from financial assistance to mentorship—to empower gifted young people whose potential might otherwise be stifled by economic barriers.
Founded in 2021 by Thierry and Pascale Déau, Archery is committed to helping France’s rising stars and leaders thrive, regardless of their background. Thierry Déau, founder of global investment and asset managent firm Meridiam and a self-made success from modest beginnings, knows firsthand how socioeconomic challenges can prevent even the most gifted individuals from achieving their full potential.
Déau’s foundation draws its name in part from Zen in the Art of Archery, the 1948 book by Eugen Herrigel, which explores the idea that mastery is not just about technical skill but about mental and spiritual alignment. Archery is not merely about success in the traditional sense, but about navigating life’s challenges with resilience and purpose.
Driven by the mission of closing the opportunity gap for future changemakers, the Archery Foundation has created a groundbreaking program in France that seeks to create a more fair, resilient world one student, or Laureate, at a time. We sat down with Erwan Katter, Executive Director of the Archery Foundation, to discuss the Laureate’s time in the US and Archery’s mission and vision for achieving true equity in education.
Archery’s Impact: Uplifting Each Student
Archery works in socio-economically disadvantaged areas, including the Parisian suburbs of Saint-Denis and Sarcelles, and the less affluent neighborhoods of Marseille. These communities historically lack the resources and opportunities afforded to wealthier counterparts, making it harder for young people to excel. Archery addresses this gap by identifying and nurturing talent early on.
Partnering with over 40 middle schools, Archery selects students based on qualities like resilience, leadership, and community engagement, rather than just academic performance. “We work with teachers and principals to identify youngsters in need of support due to their socioeconomic background who are also deeply engaged in community activities,” says Katter.
After a rigorous, year-long selection process, around 15 students are chosen each year as Laureates. They receive long-term support, spanning from high school to their entry into workforce, following them for up to 10 years. Currently, Archery supports 57 Laureates.
Archery’s assistance is transformative.
The foundation covers the full cost of education, including tuition and housing, and also addresses everyday needs like gym memberships and driving lessons, which significantly improve students’ well-being. “It’s a game changer for these youngsters when they know that they can rely on the foundation,” explains Katter.
Each student is also paired with a mentor—accomplished professionals in fields like law, non-profits, or engineering—who dedicate time each week to guide them. Mentors provide not just career advice, but also emotional support, helping students navigate challenges both inside and outside the classroom.
In response to emerging needs, Archery has expanded its support. For Laureates facing legal challenges, particularly those with parents without legal residency, the foundation provides assistance with legal assistance. Psychological support is also available on demand, giving students a confidential space to navigate the complexities of adolescence and young adulthood.
Partnership with the Obama Foundation: A Shared Vision for Leadership
Through collective activities including meeting and workshops designed around UN Sustainable Development Goals like gender equality and environmental consciousness, Archery helps Laureates develop personal and professional goals and expand their horizons. This aspect of the foundation’s support is also boosted through international trips and partnerships.
“The reason we pay attention also to how committed they are in their schools or in their communities is because we also try to help them become citizens of excellence, leaders in their own right… This has led us also to bring them to other parts of the world,” informs Katter.
Group trips to major capitals, such as recent visits to the United States, help broaden their global perspectives. In addition to meeting US Senators, UN representatives, and visiting the White House, one inspiring encounter on the student’s US trip was with the Obama Foundation in Chicago. The Archery Foundation has established a transatlantic collaboration with the nonprofit launched by Barack and Michelle Obama, which focuses on equipping the next generation of civic leaders with the tools they need to create positive change in their communities.
Reflecting on the partnership, Katter shared, “This foundation really came from the realization from two people—former President Obama and Archery founder Thierry Déau—that they were trying to do similar things for people with similar trajectories.” While Archery focuses on students not yet fully in their leadership years, the Obama Foundation steps in later, as Katter noted: “It makes a lot of sense that the young potential future leaders that we support could meet existing leaders or people who are already closer to that status and capacity than they are.”
For many of Archery’s students, who come from marginalized backgrounds, the Obama Foundation’s focus on social equity resonates deeply. Through mission-aligned partnerships such as those with the Obama Foundation, Archery is helping the students push the boundaries of what they think possible: “We’re helping them build a network, but we’re also enabling them to feel that they can reach for stars if they so desire, because… there’s really no limit to what they can achieve if they make the commitment to pursue their dreams.”
Overcoming Barriers: Two Students’ Journeys to Success
At the heart of the Archery Foundation’s mission is a commitment to understanding and addressing the unique barriers each student faces. Archery works tirelessly to identify and mitigate hidden obstacles, ensuring that personal or familial struggles don’t derail a student’s progress. “It’s understanding at each stage how many details can potentially impact their success. Identifying these pain points and addressing them is really something we constantly think about… It requires being smart about what you identify as a potential obstacle and mentioning it or addressing it the right way,” explains Katter.
One such example is Eleana’s, a student originally from Albania, who arrived in France without speaking French and faced precarious legal conditions, as her family lacked official residence status in the country. Despite her challenges, she excelled academically, overcoming her language barrier and becoming a top student. Archery has played a vital role in her journey, helping her navigate the complex legal landscape and ensuring she had resources like internet access.
However, Eleana’s journey wasn’t without its setbacks. Her life was laden with responsibilities that weighed heavily on her—family obligations, the uncertainty of her family’s immigration status, and the pressure of being the glue that held them together, all while excelling academically. This emotional exhaustion caught up with her just as she was about to embark on the next phase of her journey: a prestigious classe préparatoire at one of Paris’s top universities.
After spending the summer in Albania, Eleana faltered when it came to securing essential details for her move to Paris, such as housing. Worn down by the cumulative pressure of supporting her family and pushing herself academically without reprieve, Archery stepped in, offering steadfast encouragement, understanding, and crucial financial help. They secured temporary housing for her, ensuring that she wouldn’t lose her hard-earned momentum. This intervention, a mix of practical and emotional support, allowed Eleana to start her new academic chapter without the weight of housing instability holding her back.
Another student, Lara, exemplifies the emotional and psychological barriers many underprivileged students face, especially when burdened by the weight of familial expectations. A talented artist enrolled in a prestigious art school, Lara has already demonstrated remarkable skill and potential. However, despite her talent, she has struggled with deep-seated self-doubt and negative-self comparison. Lara’s family, though financially strained, had already made significant sacrifices for her older sister’s education, a source of guilt and pressure for any younger sibling.
Though she was progressing academically, Lara found it difficult to allow herself to thrive and often resisted opportunities to make friends or settle into her new environment. Archery’s team, however, recognized the importance of addressing these emotional hurdles. Through continuous support and encouragement, they have helped Lara gain confidence in her abilities and understand that her success doesn’t have to come at the expense of her family’s well-being.
Troubles that are more easily surmountable by those with stability and privilege can make the difference between success and stagnation for those without support. By recognizing and addressing the deeply rooted, personal obstacles that stand in the way of their success, Archery makes the ultimate difference in their Laureates’ lives, leading the way for equity-centered organizations around the world by pioneering methods of highly attentive guidance.
Supporting the Archery Foundation: A Call to Action
Supporting the Archery Foundation is not just an investment in education—it’s a commitment to empowering future leaders and driving meaningful change. By addressing both academic and socio-economic barriers, Archery is paving the way for talented young individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to reach their full potential.
The Archery program, however, cannot achieve its goals without the crucial financial support of like-minded partners and donors. Financial resources are key to the Archery Foundation’s mission, and understanding the direct impact donors make in Laureate’s lives with their gifts is paramount. The visit to Friends of Fondation de France provided the Archery Laureates an opportunity to discuss how philanthropy and international giving are powerful tools to bridge gaps in opportunity and to understand that generous donations enable Archery to support them.
Through these contributions, the foundation can continue to offer life-changing programs—programs that help students like Eleana and Lara navigate complex emotional, financial, and social obstacles, ultimately preparing them to become tomorrow’s leaders.
For U.S.-based donors looking to contribute to this vital cause, there is a meaningful way to get involved. Donations to the Archery Foundation are tax-deductible when made through Friends of Fondation de France, a recognized charitable organization. Your contribution directly supports the foundation’s programs and helps sustain their efforts to foster educational equity and leadership development.To learn more about how you can support the Archery Foundation and make a difference in the lives of future leaders, please visit their page on our website.
